Poliméricos

Poliméricos refers to materials that are polymers. Polymers are large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of repeating structural units called monomers. These monomers are linked together by covalent chemical bonds. The word "polymer" comes from the Greek words "poly" meaning many and "mer" meaning parts. Natural polymers include substances like cellulose, starch, and proteins. Synthetic polymers are man-made and are ubiquitous in modern life, forming the basis of plastics, rubbers, synthetic fibers, and adhesives.

The properties of polymeric materials are highly dependent on their molecular structure, including the type of monomers used, the length of the polymer chains, and how these chains are arranged. This arrangement can be linear, branched, or cross-linked, leading to a wide spectrum of material characteristics such as flexibility, strength, elasticity, and resistance to heat and chemicals. The process of creating polymers from monomers is called polymerization. This can occur through various mechanisms, including addition polymerization and condensation polymerization. Understanding the relationship between polymer structure and properties is crucial for designing and manufacturing materials for specific applications.